PLATE XVIII. 



ATRICHIA EUFESCENS {Ramsay). 

 RUFE SCENT SCRUB-BIRD. 



AMONG the forests about the Richmond River the Rufescent Scrub-bird is fairly abundant, although, 

 on account of its very shy disposition, it is very little seen. The first specimen was obtained 

 by Mr. Wilcox, but Ramsay was the first to give a description of its habits. 



It mostly remains among creepers and vines, and, being a perfect ventriloquist, and, moreover, 

 having the gift of being able to mock the notes of all the other birds, it is easily able to throw 

 the observer off the track. Indeed it is most bewildering to be in its neighbourhood, as you will 

 hear the notes of different birds in all directions, whilst perhaps the cause of it all is at a very short 

 distance, hidden in some creeping plant. 



It obtains its food of insects from the bark of trees, or from fallen logs. 



Crown of the head, vent, flanks, and tail-coverts, rufous ; upper surface, wings, and tail, 



blackish-brown; lores, pale buff; throat, chest, and centre of abdomen, dark grey; hides, yellowish-buff : 

 bill, legs, and feet, black. 



Habitat : New South Wales. 



SPHENURA BROADBENTI (McCoy). 



R UFO US- HE A BED II /.' 75 TL E- B HID. 



rpHIS species, which was first discovered by Mr. Broadbent, by whom the specimen was forwarded 

 J- to McCoy, is distributed sparsely over Victoria, never being found in other than scrubby places, 

 or dense thickets where the ground is covered with thick undergrowth. 



It differs from the other members of the genus, which will be hereafter described, in the 

 greater length of the bill and wings, and in the rufous colouring of the head. 



It is a very active bird, running with great rapidity over the ground, and along the logs with 

 which the ground is generally strewed. 



Its note is very pretty, and resembles greatly that of the English thrush. It feeds on insects 



The female is slightly smaller than the male, but does not differ from it in colouring. 



